Abstract: A miniaturized temperature-zone flow reactor, used for thermally controlled biochemical or molecular-biological processes, especially polymerase chain reaction (PCR) enables more efficient reactions by providing at least one closed flow path which is divided into three partial paths (A1 . . . An; B1 . . . Bn and BB1 . . . BBn?1; C1 . . . Cn) with the reactor having three substrate chips (A; B; C) which are made of a material having a high heat conductivity, and which have defined channel sections that are spaced apart relative to each other, and are connected by a connecting chip (V) made of a poor heat-conductive material. The substrate chips (A; B; C) are maintained at different temperatures by various means, including the use of controlling heating elements in contact with the chips.

Abstract: The invention relates to an affinity sensor for detecting specific molecular binding events, for use in the field of molecular biology, e.g., in medical diagnostics, especially in biosensor technology or in DNA microarreay tests. The aim of the invention is to provide an affinity sensor of this type for rapidity, sensitively, specifically, economically and routinely detecting the presence of molecules, especially bioactive molecules, and to provide special applications for an affinity sensor of this type. To this end, the affinity sensor consists of a support substrate which is provided with at least two electrodes. The electrodes are situated equidistantly from each other and cover an area on both sides, at least this area being provided for receiving immobilized specific binding partners which are capable of coupling complementary corresponding binding partners directly or with other specific binding molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel thin layers for microsystem techniques and microstructuring. It is an object of the invention to provide thin layers which can be manufactured under less problems and more economically than the previous conventional layers, and which permit the use of existing technologies for microstructuring. The object is realized in that the thin layer is formed of an enzymatically degradable biopolymer in a range of layer thicknesses of from 30 nm to 3 &mgr;m. Biopolymeric thin layers manufactured according to the invention permit their application, after a respective structurizing, as test assays or in setting up substance libraries.

Abstract: A microcompartment array with a high compartment density and a process for producing the same are disclosed. To solve the problem that consists in arranging as many compartments as possible per surface unit and in providing a process for producing the same which excludes any mixture of adjacent compartment contents even when the compartments are overfilled, without having to change the way in which the compartments are filled, a first functional surface lining is applied on the inner walls of the compartment-like recesses, whereas the support surface areas which separate the individual compartment-like recesses from each other by their open sides are provided with a second functional surface lining having an effect opposite to that of the first functional surface lining.

Abstract: A bath for generating microstructures which is required in numerous fields of application of the microsystem technique and in microstructuring offers a less expensive alternative to known conventional approaches and disposal of the used bath may be carried out in a manner more environmentally friendly manner than in the previous methods for manufacture of microstructures. The bath includes at least one biogenic agent (in particular, an enzyme) which acts upon a preselectable thin layer.

Abstract: A bath for generating microstructures which is required in numerous fields of application of the microsystem technique and in microstructuring offers a less expensive alternative to known conventional approaches and disposal of the used bath may be carried out in a manner more environmentally friendly manner than in the previous methods for manufacture of microstructures. The bath includes at least one biogenic agent (in particular, an enzyme) which acts upon a preselectable thin layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing structured, self-organized molecular monolayers of individual molecular species. The invention is preferably used to create solid-phase bonded substance libraries. To this end, a) a substrate (2) suitable for the first monolayer is provided; b) a microstructured polymer mask (1) having openings is applied to the subtrate (2) at least once in a defined direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a miniaturized fluid flow switch which enables a directed deflection or deviation of a fluidic test current injected into a fluidic carrier current. The aim of the invention it to provide a fluid flow switch which does not require any moveable parts and with which no restricting preconditions exist with regard to the fluid media to be used. To this end, the inventive switch is comprised of at least two carrier current channels (11, 12) and of a test current channel (2) which, together, open into a distribution chamber (3) to which at least two discharge channels (41, 42) connect. The carrier current channels (11, 12) are connected to a common inlet (10), and at least the carrier current channels (11, 12) are respectively placed, in particle sections, in close thermal contact with controllable heating devices (5).

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel baths for generating microstructures which are required in numerous fields of application of the microsystem technique and in microstructuring. It is an object of the invention to provide novel baths for generating microstructures which offer a less expensive and, above all, a solution for their disposal which is more friendly to environment than the previous methods for manufacture of microstructures. The object is realized in that the respective baths are added at least one biogenic catalyst (in particular, an enzyme) which acts upon a preselectable thin layer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing structured, self-organized molecular monolayers of individual molecular species. The invention is preferably used to create solid-phase bonded substance libraries. To this end, a) a substrate (2) suitable for the first monolayer is provided; b) a microstructured polymer mask (1) having openings is applied to the subtrate (2) at least once in a defined direction.

Abstract: A miniaturized multi-chamber thermocycler provides a thermocycler which is easy to handle, and permits the treatment of a great number of samples of small sample volumes at high temperature changing rates and at low heating powers. A sample receptacle body manufactured in micro-system technics provides a plurality of sample chambers which are embodied such that at least one of the sample chamber walls of the sample chamber which constitutes the sample chamber base is an efficient heat conductor and also of low mass. Said sample chambers are coupled to a coupling body, serving as heat sink, established via at least one poor heat conducting bridge which, with respect to its dimensioning and/or material selection is such that its specific heat conductance .lambda. is smaller 5 W/K.degree..multidot.m.

Abstract: A miniaturized thermocycler is provided for carrying out thermally controlled biochemical or biological melecular processes, in particular polymerase chain reactions. The aim of the invention is to provide a miniaturized thermocycler which enables such reactions to be carried out more effectively, avoids the problem of parasitic heat absorbers and can be manufactured inexpensively in series. This aim is achieved by virtue of the fact that the sample holder (1) is designed as a series of meanders winding in a plane, the sample holder (1) has a groove in a wall and closed over by a cover, the groove passing alternately through comparable heating zones (2) and cooling zones (3), located at intervals along the groove, as it meanders.